The Inbetweeners: Series 1

Billed as E4’s first sitcom, it comes as something of a surprise that The Inbetweeners doesn’t go the same way as the bulk of other terrestrial channels’ made-for-digital excursions: i.e. very bad.

Everything indicated this would be another crass, unfunny idiot-fest crammed with yoof music and plain yobbishness. As such, it’s a triumph that the first series of this tale of estuary rites of passage emerges as a sharp, often hilarious take on politically incorrect, painfully awkward adolescence.

The series focuses on four teenage boys: hopeless romantic Simon (Joe Thomas), sarcastic posho Will (Simon Bird), mouthy liar Jay (James Buckley) and lovably simple oaf Neil (Blake Harrison). Growing up in harsh suburban mediocrity, their daily routine consists of insulting each other, trying to get laid, and watching each other fail horribly. So far, so Two Pints Of Lager, I hear you cry. Well, there are similarities with the lowest common denominator laughs that made the mirth-free BBC show so popular, but where The Inbetweeners succeeds is in taking that and turning it to subtle character development.

It’s not that much of a stretch to imagine this as the South Park kids having grown up watching the American Pie films and given a 3D life. Oh, and transported to England, with a young Jimmy Carr narrating in a surprisingly humorous way. Okay, that is a stretch, but it does demonstrate the variety of decent ingredients mixed skilfully to make a thoroughly satisfying show. All the usual ‘growing up’ themes are present and correct, such as the school bully, fancying your mates’ mum and school prom humiliation, but the boys’ foul-mouthed irreverence feels fresh, funny and oddly endearing. Better by far than E4’s myriad American sitcoms, let’s hope the channel commissions a second series.

Extras: Behind The Scenes, cast members’ video diaries and ‘Making Of’ documentary.

Released on 2nd June 2008 by 4DVD.

Written by Nick Aldwinckle.